Biophytum insignis Gamble in Bull. Misc. Inform. 1921: 216. 1921; C. Fischer in Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1868. 1935.

Undershrubs, low-growing; stems erect, wrinkled, almost black, divided into 2 - 4 branchlets towards apex. Leaves crowded towards apex of stem, paripinnate, ca 10 cm long; common rachis naked for 2 - 4 cm at base, moderately villous, canaliculate above; stipules many, linear-lanceolate, strigose-hirsute; leaflets 7 - 10 pairs; lower ones smaller, ovate; middle ones longer; farthest 1 or 2 oblong, unequal at base, subcordate, up to 3.5 x 1 - 1.5 cm, mucronate, sparingly villous beneath; midnerve with 10 - 12 straight primary nerves ending in thickened margin; secondary nerves 1 - 2. Scapes 2, arising between leaves, slender, up to 3 cm long; umbels terminal, 8 - 12-flowered; bracts small, many, lanceolate, villous; pedicels filiform, up to 5 mm long. Sepals 5, lanceolate, scarious along margins, pubescent, nerves 5 - 7. Petals 5, connate, 5 - 7 mm long, yellow. Filaments villous. Capsules ellipsoid, ca 4 mm long, villous; seeds minute, with spirally connected tubercles, red.

Fl. & Fr. Feb. - March.

Distrib. India: Tamil Nadu (Tirunelveli).

Endemic.